pebs I think you ought to test, on balance. but, y'know, I am a bit of a pusher!
missC I think you'd be surprised at how 'easy' it will be for you to get extra care (for care read scans in early pg). Firstly, though, you need to find out if your epu is self referal or if your GP must and then take it from there.
I've posted on my post natal thread re: my visit to chez bruce last night so I'll copy/paste it here too:
So, as I said, I expected a glass of champagne on arrival by way of apology for having to reschedule us... and indeed, we did get that. THe manager came over and was very apologetic and thanked us profusely for coming.
THe menu arrives quickly along with a parmesan biscuit and a choice of three bread (poppy seed, walnut or foccacia) all made on the premises. I choose foie gras and toasted brioche, DF the pork terrine to start and l lamb breast for main, he cote du boeuf. The boeuf is technically only for two, with a £5 pp supplement, but they agreed instantly to let us 'mix and match'. THe food is simply beyond scrumptious. And our waitress was discreetly attentive, if a little demure. But when I joked that I 'wanted to lick the plate' when she took away our main plates she suddenly came alive, telling me of a time she actually DID! At Gordon Ramsey, no less. Her boyfriend is a patissier and thinks it's funny to tell them, where ever they go, that it's her birthday. Cue a little something complimentary, sweet, with a candle... and often singing! Getting fed up of it she warned him on the way to GR that 'you know them all here; if you say it's my birthday I WILL lick the plate' he was of the opinion she wouldn't dare. 'It was only boeuf bourguignon, but delicious and you know I've never seen a birthday candle since!'
After her confession, she became much chattier and then, when she came to get our dessert order I said 'Oh, I can't decide between three...' she asked which three and then took DF's order (which was blood orange sorbet, the simpliest, most 'boring' if you will, on the menu! She joked it was a wussy choice and I explained he wasn't a dessert fan at all... She says to him 'If I surprise the lady, do you mind?' and he said of course not).
Well. She bought me ALL THREE!! And DF got just a single scoop of his sorbet rather than the full amount... but even so, it was a lovely, lovely gesture as the menu is set at one choice per course. And what were they? Of course a hot chocolate pudding with praline parfait, a creme brulee which was to die for, so creamy and rich, and 'Poached Yorkshire rhubarb with champagne granita, orange flower water and pistachios' which translated as champagne 'mr frosty' flavoured ice, sitting in an edible sweet cup atop the poached rhubarb in the orange flower water/scattered pistachios.
I valiantly battled my way though at least half of each but 'mr doesn't like dessert' DF polished off the rest, making 'mmmm' noises as he went!
You know when you feel so full that you're ever so slightly sick? Yeah, that was me. Waitress asked if we wanted coffee (commenting she'd never seen anyone smile so much eating their food!) I said 'my head wants it but I just haven't got room!' (was kinda kicking myself as I knew there would be petit four too... I think it was them my head wanted but stomach couldn't accommodate!). She then appears with two little gift bags of truffle and shortcake saying 'I thought you'd say that - these usually come with the coffee'.
So, the bill! THe menu is set, as I mentioned, at £45 per head BUT I'd gotten a deal through toptable for £29.50 per head. DF was driving so only had one beer (not a wine man. £3.75) and we had two bottles of still mineral water (£4 each). Then there was the supplement for the beef. The 'extra' 1 1/2 desserts. The petit four.
We were only charged the £29.50 pp plus DF's beer. There's something about fabulous food with lots of little freebies thrown in at a bargainous price that clearly makes me giddy because as I said, still grinning now!
But you know what? Even paying £45 each and without the extras, it is still good value. It's michelin food but generous portions, maybe twice as much as you'd expect. And although we had no need of the sommelier a quick look at the wine list showed it included some reasonably priced wine (along with some more, eye watering ones... grin )
Absolutely recommend CHez Bruce to you all! I found it to be 'posh', y'know, special, but crucially not stuffy. And the ambiance was quietly buzzing.
The top table deal is still available, for sundays and mondays... the next lot I can see on the website are for 20th Feb. Just sayin'